Misinformation Archives - CASW Connector

Organization

The COALESCE Project

"The COALESCE [Coordinated Opportunities for Advanced Leadership and Engagement in Science Communication in Europe] project is funded by the European Commission (EC) to establish a self-sustaining European Competence Centre for Science Communication, and an associated Science Communication Academy that will be a part of the Competence Centre. COALESCE seeks to decrease the distance in European societies to scientific understanding and address issues concerning public distrust and policy responses to scientific crises. It will do so by building on and adding to existing forms of excellence in science communication, public engagement with sciences and co-creation practices."

The COALESCE Project

Summary:

"The COALESCE [Coordinated Opportunities for Advanced Leadership and Engagement in Science Communication in Europe] project is funded by the European Commission (EC) to establish a self-sustaining European Competence Centre for Science Communication, and an associated Science Communication Academy that will be a part of the Competence Centre. COALESCE seeks to decrease the distance in European societies to scientific understanding and address issues concerning public distrust and policy responses to scientific crises. It will do so by building on and adding to existing forms of excellence in science communication, public engagement with sciences and co-creation practices."

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Video

How Reporters Can Get Ahead of Misinformation

Center for Health Journalism, USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism

"These are not ordinary times. The volume of health misinformation, misleading claims and biased language entering the national conversation has reached a fever pitch. The problem is compounded by today’s rapid news cycle, in which accuracy and context can’t wait. To meet this challenge, journalists increasingly need to fact-check and contextualize claims in real time — whether during live hearings or breaking news events. In this webinar, we’ll share some practical strategies for anticipating misinformation and countering harmful tropes without slowing down your coverage. For instance, savvy reporters might develop a well of “publish ready” copy they can plug into their stories that follows a questionable claim with the best available evidence. Attendees will also learn how to recognize coded language and dehumanizing or racist tropes in the moment — and how to journalistically respond in a politically charged environment. We’ll share tools, workflows, and ethical considerations to help you deliver speed and rigor on crucial health equity coverage under pressure."

How Reporters Can Get Ahead of Misinformation

Summary:

"These are not ordinary times. The volume of health misinformation, misleading claims and biased language entering the national conversation has reached a fever pitch. The problem is compounded by today’s rapid news cycle, in which accuracy and context can’t wait. To meet this challenge, journalists increasingly need to fact-check and contextualize claims in real time — whether during live hearings or breaking news events. In this webinar, we’ll share some practical strategies for anticipating misinformation and countering harmful tropes without slowing down your coverage. For instance, savvy reporters might develop a well of “publish ready” copy they can plug into their stories that follows a questionable claim with the best available evidence. Attendees will also learn how to recognize coded language and dehumanizing or racist tropes in the moment — and how to journalistically respond in a politically charged environment. We’ll share tools, workflows, and ethical considerations to help you deliver speed and rigor on crucial health equity coverage under pressure."

Organization:

Center for Health Journalism, USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism

Date:

January 21, 2026

Category:

For:

Journalists

VISIT

Video

Webinar On-Demand: Communicating the Global Impact of U.S. Policies

Pulitzer Center

"In this CUGH virtual Global Health Week session, Pulitzer Center grantees Molly Knight Raskin, Ridwan Karim Dini-Osman, Joanne Cavanaugh Simpson, and Brian W. Simpson discuss their reporting on the global health impacts of cuts to U.S. foreign aid. Using their recent experiences covering cuts across different African communities, they explore how funding reductions are re-shaping healthcare systems and access to care. The journalists also reflect on how the issue is being covered in the media and share strategies for effectively communicating health and science in an era of mis- and disinformation. View the webinar recording to learn more about their perspectives on telling global health stories at this moment in history."

Webinar On-Demand: Communicating the Global Impact of U.S. Policies

Summary:

"In this CUGH virtual Global Health Week session, Pulitzer Center grantees Molly Knight Raskin, Ridwan Karim Dini-Osman, Joanne Cavanaugh Simpson, and Brian W. Simpson discuss their reporting on the global health impacts of cuts to U.S. foreign aid. Using their recent experiences covering cuts across different African communities, they explore how funding reductions are re-shaping healthcare systems and access to care. The journalists also reflect on how the issue is being covered in the media and share strategies for effectively communicating health and science in an era of mis- and disinformation. View the webinar recording to learn more about their perspectives on telling global health stories at this moment in history."

Organization:

Pulitzer Center

Date:

December 3, 2025

Category:

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Article

Reporting on Common Vaccine Conspiracies and Misinformation

"To effectively report on the science behind the effectiveness and safety of vaccines, journalists should understand how false information about them has originated and spread. That includes a universe of misinformation spread a variety of ways. ... Journalists should also understand that many factors can contribute to how likely someone is to believe false information about vaccines. One of these is the influence of cognitive biases — errors in thinking that arise from patterns of experience." Includes a list of common vaccine misconceptions and how to counter inaccurate information.

Video

Understanding and Addressing Misinformation About Science: A Symposium

National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine

"This full-day [National Academies] symposium exploring the [“Understanding and Addressing Misinformation About Science”] report brought together key leaders and organizations from science, public health, education, communication, philanthropy, and public policy to discuss evidence-based solutions and actionable, next steps to address science misinformation." Note: There are five parts to the video.

Understanding and Addressing Misinformation About Science: A Symposium

Summary:

"This full-day [National Academies] symposium exploring the [“Understanding and Addressing Misinformation About Science”] report brought together key leaders and organizations from science, public health, education, communication, philanthropy, and public policy to discuss evidence-based solutions and actionable, next steps to address science misinformation." Note: There are five parts to the video.

Organization:

National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine

Date:

September 25, 2025

Category:

Misinformation

For:

VISIT

Article

How Science Journalists Worldwide Are Fighting White House Health Misinformation

"Earlier this year, US President Donald Trump warned pregnant women to stop taking Tylenol – a brand name for paracetamol – or risk giving their children autism. ... Vaccines have been a common target, with Trump falsely correlating vaccines with autism and RFK Jr challenging the safety of both the COVID-19 vaccine and the DTP vaccine. With so many attacks on health and science, what are specialised reporters and editors doing to counter this barrage of disinformation from the most powerful man on Earth? Do these messages have an impact around the world? And what are the challenges posed to the journalists covering these beats? To answer these questions and more, I spoke with five editors of science and health publications in the United States, South Africa, Kenya and Peru."

Article

Looming Cutoff of SNAP Funds, New Restrictions: A Story for Every Community

"Monthly grocery assistance money that more than 22 million households near or below the poverty line receive from the federal government won’t arrive on Nov. 1, per administration guidance on October 24. It’s a story with broad implications that’s coming to every local newsroom in the country this week. Social scientists who’ve studied the economic and health impacts of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, and broader social safety net programs can offer evidence and expertise in this moment to help reporters provide important context and dispel misinformation and disinformation about it."

Video

CCNow Basics: Disinformation & Greenwashing

"Myths about climate change continue to proliferate online, but such disinformation campaigns are nothing new. This CCNow Basics Session explores how disinformation, misinformation, and greenwashing shape public understanding of climate change. The session also covers the problem of 'false balance' in journalism and offers strategies to counter disinformation with both audiences and editors, while keeping the focus on fact-based information."

CCNow Basics: Disinformation & Greenwashing

Summary:

"Myths about climate change continue to proliferate online, but such disinformation campaigns are nothing new. This CCNow Basics Session explores how disinformation, misinformation, and greenwashing shape public understanding of climate change. The session also covers the problem of 'false balance' in journalism and offers strategies to counter disinformation with both audiences and editors, while keeping the focus on fact-based information."

Published By:

Covering Climate Now

Date:

October 30, 2025

Category:

For:

Journalists

VISIT

Video

Climate Blueprint: Myths & Disinformation

"Myths about climate change continue to proliferate online, but such disinformation campaigns are nothing new. Journalists can strengthen their reporting by learning about the history of climate disinformation, by practicing strong accountability journalism, a necessary first step in truly tackling the climate crisis, and by using solutions journalism to critically evaluate claims of 'going green.' This is the latest in our webinar series on pressing climate journalism topics, inspired by 'The Climate Blueprint for Media Transformation,' published in summer 2024 by Solutions Journalism Network and Covering Climate Now. In this, our third roundtable discussion, titled 'Myths & Disinformation,' we analyzed climate disinformation narratives, discussed strategies for evaluating climate solutions from vested interests, and shared tips for incorporating accountability into your reporting."

Climate Blueprint: Myths & Disinformation

Summary:

"Myths about climate change continue to proliferate online, but such disinformation campaigns are nothing new. Journalists can strengthen their reporting by learning about the history of climate disinformation, by practicing strong accountability journalism, a necessary first step in truly tackling the climate crisis, and by using solutions journalism to critically evaluate claims of 'going green.' This is the latest in our webinar series on pressing climate journalism topics, inspired by 'The Climate Blueprint for Media Transformation,' published in summer 2024 by Solutions Journalism Network and Covering Climate Now. In this, our third roundtable discussion, titled 'Myths & Disinformation,' we analyzed climate disinformation narratives, discussed strategies for evaluating climate solutions from vested interests, and shared tips for incorporating accountability into your reporting."

Date:

October 22, 2025

Category:

For:

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Article

Roundtable: How To Cover Science During Sociopolitical Disruption

"Since the beginning of 2025, many journalists have found themselves in one of the toughest phases of their careers. The second Trump administration has systematically dismantled the practice of science in the U.S. ... Five journalists whose coverage of science has been upended by the current U.S. administration took part in a roundtable discussion on this issue. Between assignments, they shared the challenges they’ve faced while reporting in recent months, and some of the workarounds they’ve found to disentangle fact from fiction, work with hesitant sources, and strike the right balance between science and politics."

Roundtable: How To Cover Science During Sociopolitical Disruption

Summary:

"Since the beginning of 2025, many journalists have found themselves in one of the toughest phases of their careers. The second Trump administration has systematically dismantled the practice of science in the U.S. ... Five journalists whose coverage of science has been upended by the current U.S. administration took part in a roundtable discussion on this issue. Between assignments, they shared the challenges they’ve faced while reporting in recent months, and some of the workarounds they’ve found to disentangle fact from fiction, work with hesitant sources, and strike the right balance between science and politics."

Author:

Rachel Crowell

Published By:

The Open Notebook

Date:

September 16, 2025

Category:

VISIT

Resource Database / Guide

How To Cover Vaccines Responsibly in 2025

"Newsrooms in 2025 face a significant challenge covering the effort to upend decades of rigorous vaccine science and the policies it has guided. Misinformation and disinformation about the development, effectiveness, and safety of vaccines are coming from the highest levels of government, and individual states are issuing their own vaccination guidance and changing their vaccine mandates. This [SciLine] toolkit provides tips and resources for journalists covering vaccines in their communities, describing basic vaccine science, providing graphics to use in your stories (coming soon), explaining causes of vaccine hesitancy, and more." Also available in Spanish.

How To Cover Vaccines Responsibly in 2025

Summary:

"Newsrooms in 2025 face a significant challenge covering the effort to upend decades of rigorous vaccine science and the policies it has guided. Misinformation and disinformation about the development, effectiveness, and safety of vaccines are coming from the highest levels of government, and individual states are issuing their own vaccination guidance and changing their vaccine mandates. This [SciLine] toolkit provides tips and resources for journalists covering vaccines in their communities, describing basic vaccine science, providing graphics to use in your stories (coming soon), explaining causes of vaccine hesitancy, and more." Also available in Spanish.

Published By:

SciLine

Date:

September 16, 2025

Category:

For:

Journalists

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Article

Tips to Investigate Climate Change Impacts in an Era of Science Denialism

"As oligarchs and populist governments ratchet back the gathering and dissemination of climate-related information, journalists can use these techniques to find relevant sources and track impact."

Article

Study Reveals Stark Divide in How Democrats and Republicans Cite Science

"An analysis of 25 years of U.S. policy documents reveals there's very little overlap in the scientific studies that Democrats and Republicans cite in congressional committees and think tanks, deepening concerns over shared facts."

Article

Covering Health Misinformation: What Journalists Need to Rethink

"Journalists and public health experts shared 12 strategies for building trust, using careful language and improving coverage of health misinformation during a workshop at the Association of Health Care Journalists' annual conference."

Article

Covering Health Misinformation: What Journalists Need To Rethink

Journalists and public health experts shared 12 strategies for building trust, using careful language and improving coverage of health misinformation during a workshop at the Association of Health Care Journalists' annual conference.

Book

National Academies Report: “Understanding and Addressing Misinformation About Science”

National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine

"'Understanding and Addressing Misinformation About Science' characterizes the nature, scope, and impacts of this phenomenon, and provides guidance on interventions, policies, and future research. This report is a comprehensive assessment of the available evidence and reflects a systems view of the problem given the broader historical and contemporary contexts that shape the lived experiences of people and their relationships to information. The report aims to illuminate the impacts of misinformation about science and potential solutions across a diversity of individual peoples, communities, and societies." Related resources:

Interactive Overview of the Report, May 2025
Brief for Public and Private Funders, Sept. 2025
Understanding and Addressing Misinformation about Science: A Symposium (five parts), Sept. 25, 2025
Advancing High-Quality Science Journalism: Challenges and Pathways Forward, webinar, Nov. 13, 2025

Conference

Building Trust in Science: A One-Day Conference for a More Informed Future

Aspen Institute

"Building Trust in Science: A One-Day Conference for a More Informed Future, a collaboration between the Aspen Institute Science & Society Program and the MIT Press, aims to bridge the gap between decades of research in neuroscience and social science about how humans process and understand information, and the vulnerabilities to misinformation and propaganda we endure when we fail to leverage this knowledge in communicating science, especially in the age of generative AI.

"This conference, planned for March 10, 2025 in Boston, at MIT in Cambridge, MA, will be ideal for science communicators, journalists, researchers, students, policymakers, and anyone interested in mobilizing knowledge for a better world. This conference will explore how journalists, science communicators, researchers, and policymakers can utilize knowledge about human learning to empower diverse groups to make informed decisions in a complex world;
combat disinformation and build trust in science and scientists;
amplify voices and perspectives historically marginalized by science and journalism; and craft impactful messaging that fosters active and engaged communities where science is a cornerstone."

Video

Communicating Science to a Skeptical Public: “Your Local Epidemiologist” Katelyn Jetelina

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

"Launched as a 'direct line' to accessible information during the COVID-19 pandemic, the newsletter 'Your Local Epidemiologist' has blossomed into a trusted, wide-ranging science source to more than 250,000 followers. In this event, the newsletter’s founder, epidemiologist and data scientist Katelyn Jetelina, speaks about how public health leaders can cut through misinformation and partisanship with effective, empathetic communication."

Communicating Science to a Skeptical Public: “Your Local Epidemiologist” Katelyn Jetelina

Summary:

"Launched as a 'direct line' to accessible information during the COVID-19 pandemic, the newsletter 'Your Local Epidemiologist' has blossomed into a trusted, wide-ranging science source to more than 250,000 followers. In this event, the newsletter’s founder, epidemiologist and data scientist Katelyn Jetelina, speaks about how public health leaders can cut through misinformation and partisanship with effective, empathetic communication."

Organization:

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Date:

October 28, 2024

Category:

For:

VISIT

Resource Database / Guide

The Public Health Communicators Guide to Misinformation

Public Health Communications Collaborative

"Building continued trust in public health requires communicators to learn how to identify false narratives and respond with clarity, accurate information, and accessible language. This guide, developed by the Public Health Communications Collaborative in partnership with the Infodemiology Training Program, provides foundational insights into the current misinformation landscape and an overview of tools for assessing risk and determining responses."

The Public Health Communicators Guide to Misinformation

Summary:

"Building continued trust in public health requires communicators to learn how to identify false narratives and respond with clarity, accurate information, and accessible language. This guide, developed by the Public Health Communications Collaborative in partnership with the Infodemiology Training Program, provides foundational insights into the current misinformation landscape and an overview of tools for assessing risk and determining responses."

Organization:

Public Health Communications Collaborative

Date:

September 18, 2024

Category:

For:

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Article

Repetition makes climate misinformation feel more true — even for those who back climate science

"Climate misinformation may be more effective than we’d like to think because of a phenomenon called the illusory truth effect. In short, we are more likely to believe a lie if we encounter it repeatedly. Worse, the effect works immediately — a lie seems to be more true even after just one repetition." This article in Nieman Lab summarizes a recent paper by the same authors (https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0307294) in which the researchers put the illusory truth effect to the test among people with strongly held existing beliefs.

Repetition makes climate misinformation feel more true — even for those who back climate science

Summary:

"Climate misinformation may be more effective than we’d like to think because of a phenomenon called the illusory truth effect. In short, we are more likely to believe a lie if we encounter it repeatedly. Worse, the effect works immediately — a lie seems to be more true even after just one repetition." This article in Nieman Lab summarizes a recent paper by the same authors (https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0307294) in which the researchers put the illusory truth effect to the test among people with strongly held existing beliefs.

Published By:

NiemanLab

Date:

August 12, 2024

Category:

For:

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Video

Engaging the public on LGBTQ health: A conversation with journalist Erin Reed

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

In this virtual event presented by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and LGBTQ Health Center of Excellence, journalist and activist Erin Reed spoke to Ivan Hsiao, founder of Trans Health HQ. They discussed "ways to translate and disseminate research about LGBTQ health for policy and public discourse, combat misinformation and disinformation, and support progress toward a more equitable future for the LGBTQ community."

Engaging the public on LGBTQ health: A conversation with journalist Erin Reed

Summary:

In this virtual event presented by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and LGBTQ Health Center of Excellence, journalist and activist Erin Reed spoke to Ivan Hsiao, founder of Trans Health HQ. They discussed "ways to translate and disseminate research about LGBTQ health for policy and public discourse, combat misinformation and disinformation, and support progress toward a more equitable future for the LGBTQ community."

Organization:

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Date:

July 24, 2024

Category:

For:

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Article

How investigative journalists can fight back against health misinformation

The panel "Mis- and Disinformation about Health is Killing Us. What Should Journalists Be Doing about It?" presented at the 2024 International Journalism Festival in Perugia, Italy, explored how certain industries are exploiting a vacuum of trusted health information to misinform and disinform the public about their products and policies. Moderated by Pulitzer Center senior editor Susan Ferriss and featuring Will Fitzgibbon of The Examination; Chrissie Giles, deputy editor of the London-based Bureau of Investigative Journalism; and Mia Malan, founder and editor-in-chief of the South Africa-based Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism, the panelists "discussed their experiences working on impactful investigations and shared advice for journalists who want to cover health issues but don’t know where to start."

Video

Talking shop: When debunking climate disinformation gets labeled “censorship”

Covering Climate Now

"Increasingly, disinformation peddlers are protecting their lies by accusing anyone who fact-checks or debunks climate disinformation of censorship, bias, or being anti–free speech and debate. How can journalists preempt such charges, or deal with them, as we continue to tackle climate disinformation on the beat? In this press briefing, co-sponsored by Covering Climate Now and Climate Action Against Disinformation, experts detailed strategies used by disinformers to discredit journalists and how you can protect your reporting and serve your audiences. Kendra Pierre-Louis of Bloomberg; Marco Silva of BBC News; and Wudan Yan, freelance journalist, fact-checker, and entrepreneur, joined moderator Amy Westervelt, executive editor of Drilled, for a one-hour conversation."

Talking shop: When debunking climate disinformation gets labeled “censorship”

Summary:

"Increasingly, disinformation peddlers are protecting their lies by accusing anyone who fact-checks or debunks climate disinformation of censorship, bias, or being anti–free speech and debate. How can journalists preempt such charges, or deal with them, as we continue to tackle climate disinformation on the beat? In this press briefing, co-sponsored by Covering Climate Now and Climate Action Against Disinformation, experts detailed strategies used by disinformers to discredit journalists and how you can protect your reporting and serve your audiences. Kendra Pierre-Louis of Bloomberg; Marco Silva of BBC News; and Wudan Yan, freelance journalist, fact-checker, and entrepreneur, joined moderator Amy Westervelt, executive editor of Drilled, for a one-hour conversation."

Organization:

Covering Climate Now

Date:

June 18, 2024

Category:

For:

VISIT

Conference

News Impact Summit: Fighting climate misinformation

European Journalism Centre

"The News Impact Summit in Copenhagen, organized in partnership with the Google News Initiative, will address how climate misinformation undermines public trust in climate policies and stalls progress toward a green transition." Journalists and media professionals who attend the summit will attend talks, panels, workshops, and interactive discussions that "explore innovative storytelling techniques to highlight the urgency of climate action, debunk falsehoods, and empower communities to demand accountability from policymakers and industry stakeholders."

Video

How to pre-bunk climate disinformation

Covering Climate Now

"Researchers studying climate disinformation agree: 'Inoculation' is one of the most effective options for countering it, and the first step toward inoculation is 'pre-bunking,' or warning audiences in advance. In this webinar, co-sponsored by Covering Climate Now and Climate Action Against Disinformation, panelists will discuss ways journalists can get ahead of climate disinformation and 'pre-bunk' it in a way that doesn’t amplify the disinfo or cause unnecessary alarm." Amy Westervelt, investigative climate journalist and executive editor of Drilled Media, moderated the panel. The panelists were Ketan Joshi, communications consultant & author, Phil Newell, Director of Science Defense, Climate Nexus, and Dharna Noor, Fossil Fuels and Climate Reporter, The Guardian.

How to pre-bunk climate disinformation

Summary:

"Researchers studying climate disinformation agree: 'Inoculation' is one of the most effective options for countering it, and the first step toward inoculation is 'pre-bunking,' or warning audiences in advance. In this webinar, co-sponsored by Covering Climate Now and Climate Action Against Disinformation, panelists will discuss ways journalists can get ahead of climate disinformation and 'pre-bunk' it in a way that doesn’t amplify the disinfo or cause unnecessary alarm." Amy Westervelt, investigative climate journalist and executive editor of Drilled Media, moderated the panel. The panelists were Ketan Joshi, communications consultant & author, Phil Newell, Director of Science Defense, Climate Nexus, and Dharna Noor, Fossil Fuels and Climate Reporter, The Guardian.

Organization:

Covering Climate Now

Date:

April 11, 2024

Category:

For:

VISIT

Find a resource

Library

The COALESCE Project

How Reporters Can Get Ahead of Misinformation

Webinar On-Demand: Communicating the Global Impact of U.S. Policies

Reporting on Common Vaccine Conspiracies and Misinformation

Understanding and Addressing Misinformation About Science: A Symposium

How Science Journalists Worldwide Are Fighting White House Health Misinformation

Looming Cutoff of SNAP Funds, New Restrictions: A Story for Every Community

CCNow Basics: Disinformation & Greenwashing

Climate Blueprint: Myths & Disinformation

Roundtable: How To Cover Science During Sociopolitical Disruption

How To Cover Vaccines Responsibly in 2025

Tips to Investigate Climate Change Impacts in an Era of Science Denialism

Study Reveals Stark Divide in How Democrats and Republicans Cite Science

Covering Health Misinformation: What Journalists Need to Rethink

Covering Health Misinformation: What Journalists Need To Rethink

National Academies Report: “Understanding and Addressing Misinformation About Science”

Building Trust in Science: A One-Day Conference for a More Informed Future

Communicating Science to a Skeptical Public: “Your Local Epidemiologist” Katelyn Jetelina

The Public Health Communicators Guide to Misinformation

Repetition makes climate misinformation feel more true — even for those who back climate science

Engaging the public on LGBTQ health: A conversation with journalist Erin Reed

How investigative journalists can fight back against health misinformation

Talking shop: When debunking climate disinformation gets labeled “censorship”

News Impact Summit: Fighting climate misinformation

How to pre-bunk climate disinformation